Trump eyes shift to policy 'meat' as convention fight looms

[webfact]

Trump eyes shift to policy 'meat' as convention fight looms
By STEVE PEOPLES

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Donald Trump signaled a shift toward "more meat on the bone" in his policy speeches Wednesday amid new signs of campaign discord, a day after his stinging Wisconsin defeat emboldened his critics and pushed the GOP closer to its first contested national convention in four decades.

Democrat Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, embraced a tougher approach with liberal rival Bernie Sanders, who beat her in Wisconsin. Still, Sanders' string of recent primary victories has done little to erode the former secretary of state's overwhelming delegate lead as the 2016 primary season lurches toward a high-stakes contest in two weeks in New York.

"The core issue in his whole campaign doesn't seem to be rooted in an understanding of either the law or the practical ways you get something done," an aggressive Clinton declared in an interview on MSNBC. She suggested Sanders "hadn't done his homework" on specific prescriptions needed to address economic inequality.

As the Democratic front-runner tried to undercut Sanders' recent momentum, Trump's grasp on his party's presidential nomination appeared far more tenuous. Senior Trump adviser Barry Bennett shrugged off the Wisconsin loss to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, but he also said the billionaire businessman would soon begin to deliver a series of "presidential, substantive" speeches on his policy priorities. That list likely includes immigration, trade, defense and taxes.

"That's coming," Bennett said of the shift. "There will be more and more meat on the bone as we go forward."

At the same time, Trump's team quietly worked to resolve problems with its young delegate outreach operation, a critical tool as the primary campaign speeds toward the possibility of a contest convention. The tension centers on campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, whose management style has alienated some would-be allies on the ground in key states.

For example, the campaign over the weekend fired the person running its Colorado operation ahead of the state's convention on Saturday. The move was confirmed by a person with direct knowledge of the staffing situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

The issues come as leading Democrats and Republicans acknowledge a growing likelihood that Cruz could wrestle the presidential nomination away at the GOP national convention in July.

While Trump maintains a big delegate lead, Cruz took a big step forward with his win in Wisconsin. The senator has no realistic path to claim the nomination by the end of the primaries on June 7, but he might force a contested convention by blocking Trump from getting a majority of delegates in the state-by-state voting.

Trump must win 57 percent of the remaining delegates to clinch the nomination before the convention. So far, he's winning 46 percent.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who hopes the year will play out in Cruz's favor, said the Republican race was "very likely" headed to an open convention.

"Ted Cruz will win on the second ballot if not on the way in, and he will unite the party," Walker said on WTMJ radio in Milwaukee.

New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, asked if she's coming around to the idea of Cruz as the nominee, said, "I'm coming around to more like, 'It looks like it will be a very interesting convention.'"

At the same time, Clinton allies were broadening their attacks against Trump to include Cruz, a first-term senator who has often alienated Democrats and Republican alike in Washington.

"One of the scariest parts of Donald Trump's insulting, demeaning and dangerous attack on women is that Ted Cruz might actually be even worse for women," said Anne Caprara, who leads the pro-Clinton group, Priorities USA. That group worked with the campaign arm of Planned Parenthood to unveil an anti-Trump internet ad on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, attention in both parties shifted toward New York's April 19 primary elections, where Clinton and Trump hold big leads in early polls. Trump was to address voters Wednesday night in a homecoming of sorts for the New York City native.

Former gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino, one of Trump's state co-chairs, said the campaign received 18,000 requests for Wednesday's event, although the venue holds just 3,000 people.

Said Paladino, a Buffalo-based businessman: "We've seen people just coming up saying, 'Where has he been?' Thank God he's here."

As for possible friction in the campaign, Paladino said he's had no problems with Trump's campaign manager.

"They do have a small staff — probably smaller than they should have — but these guys work 24/7," he said. "I don't know how they keep their senses about them."

Cruz, campaigning Wednesday in New York as well, lashed out at "New York values," which he called "the values of the liberal, Democratic politicians."
___

Peoples reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in Jersey City, New Jersey, Hope Yen, Stephen Ohlemacher, Andrew Taylor, Erica Werner in Washington, Jonathan Lemire and Michael Balsamo in New York, and Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, contributed.


-- 2016-04-07

[CousinEddie]

Incredible, the lack of integrity that is displayed here by Ted Cruz.

https://youtu.be/QF7rQRNCCOY?t=13s

Edited April 6, 2016 by CousinEddie

[helpisgood]

Is "more meat on the bone" a tough and manly euphemism for "let's actually know what the heck we are talking about from now on."?

[cheapcanuck]

Incredible, the lack of integrity that is displayed here by Ted Cruz.

Lying Ted at his best.

[Pinot]

There is no difference between these two. Trump/Cruz flip a coin. Both of them are terrible, unelectable candidates.

They're both supported by 35% of the wingnut base, who vow not to support the other candidate.

I've got to admit, it's fascinating to watch the Republican party in complete meltdown. Religious wingnut or birther wingnut? Koch thinks Paul Ryan is the savior. Or maybe Kasich? Or Romney? Jeb? John McCain? Sarah Palin?

[grumpyoldman]

Is "more meat on the bone" a tough and manly euphemism for "let's actually know what the heck we are talking about from now on."?

Is the Trumpster on again about his hands?

Classy guy !!!!!!!!!

[up2u2]

So can anyone explain what Trump has been doing up till now?

'meat on the bone' is that like stealing money from native Mexicans and using it to build an idiotic wall? What, to keep the Mexicans in who paid for the Wall or to keep more Mexicans out that will be paying for the upkeep of the Wall?

Trump is a fool. The more stupidity a person reads from this idiot the more one loses the will to live.

[Suradit69]

So can anyone explain what Trump has been doing up till now?

'meat on the bone' is that like stealing money from native Mexicans and using it to build an idiotic wall? What, to keep the Mexicans in who paid for the Wall or to keep more Mexicans out that will be paying for the upkeep of the Wall?

Trump is a fool. The more stupidity a person reads from this idiot the more one loses the will to live.

"Trump is a fool. The more stupidity a person reads from this idiot the more one loses the will to live."

He exists because his competition is corrupt and owes its allegiance to the GOP and wealthy contributors, not to the people who they are meant to serve. In a field of idiots Trump seems to be the "none of the above" vote winner in a competition to put the biggest loon in charge of the asylum.

Of course in a brokered convention the delegates will probably pick someone who hasn't even run but serves the GOP establishment best. Then the US can lecture Thailand about how a real democracy operates.

[up2u2]

So can anyone explain what Trump has been doing up till now?

'meat on the bone' is that like stealing money from native Mexicans and using it to build an idiotic wall? What, to keep the Mexicans in who paid for the Wall or to keep more Mexicans out that will be paying for the upkeep of the Wall?

Trump is a fool. The more stupidity a person reads from this idiot the more one loses the will to live.

"Trump is a fool. The more stupidity a person reads from this idiot the more one loses the will to live."

He exists because his competition is corrupt and owes its allegiance to the GOP and wealthy contributors, not to the people who they are meant to serve. In a field of idiots Trump seems to be the "none of the above" vote winner in a competition to put the biggest loon in charge of the asylum.

Of course in a brokered convention the delegates will probably pick someone who hasn't even run but serves the GOP establishment best. Then the US can lecture Thailand about how a real democracy operates.

Run us through Trump's policies and how he intends to implement them. I'll start you off.

Build a Wall along the souther border and steal money from Mexicans currently in the US and then deport 11 million of them behind the Wall

Make abortion illegal and punish women caught having an abortion.

okay go on................

[grumpyoldman]

So can anyone explain what Trump has been doing up till now?

'meat on the bone' is that like stealing money from native Mexicans and using it to build an idiotic wall? What, to keep the Mexicans in who paid for the Wall or to keep more Mexicans out that will be paying for the upkeep of the Wall?

Trump is a fool. The more stupidity a person reads from this idiot the more one loses the will to live.

"Trump is a fool. The more stupidity a person reads from this idiot the more one loses the will to live."

He exists because his competition is corrupt and owes its allegiance to the GOP and wealthy contributors, not to the people who they are meant to serve. In a field of idiots Trump seems to be the "none of the above" vote winner in a competition to put the biggest loon in charge of the asylum.

Of course in a brokered convention the delegates will probably pick someone who hasn't even run but serves the GOP establishment best. Then the US can lecture Thailand about how a real democracy operates.

Oh right........this is the "he is not part of the establishment" argument.

Nonsense mate, his campaign manager (the guy being charged with assault) came from the Koch brothers PAC, in hopes that the allegiance would bring them on board. He's trying hard to be part of the establishment ! Can't get there because smarter people don't want him.

Edited April 7, 2016 by grumpyoldman

[CousinEddie]

So can anyone explain what Trump has been doing up till now?

'meat on the bone' is that like stealing money from native Mexicans and using it to build an idiotic wall? What, to keep the Mexicans in who paid for the Wall or to keep more Mexicans out that will be paying for the upkeep of the Wall?

Trump is a fool. The more stupidity a person reads from this idiot the more one loses the will to live.

"Trump is a fool. The more stupidity a person reads from this idiot the more one loses the will to live."

He exists because his competition is corrupt and owes its allegiance to the GOP and wealthy contributors, not to the people who they are meant to serve. In a field of idiots Trump seems to be the "none of the above" vote winner in a competition to put the biggest loon in charge of the asylum.

Of course in a brokered convention the delegates will probably pick someone who hasn't even run but serves the GOP establishment best. Then the US can lecture Thailand about how a real democracy operates.

Run us through Trump's policies and how he intends to implement them. I'll start you off.

Build a Wall along the souther border and steal money from Mexicans currently in the US and then deport 11 million of them behind the Wall

Make abortion illegal and punish women caught having an abortion.

okay go on................

So Trump will let the illegals stay until they pay for the wall. Then round them up for deportation. Brilliant!

One problem.

Trump keeps making the wall higher and higher... and the Mexicans will figure a way around the remittence tax before it's ever implemented....and they will figure a way around the wall too.

[dunroaming]

I think that the only real option that Trump has is to run as an independant. He has risen in popularirity on the back of the republican party but he isn't a team player and would be a nightmare for them. As an independant he would then just attract the people who believe in his bizarre rantings. If nothing else it would give a clearer indication of actual Trump supporters rather than republican ones.

Of course Trump may decide to just withdraw rather than suffer more embarrassment but with his ego that is hard to imagine.

[up2u2]

I think that the only real option that Trump has is to run as an independant. He has risen in popularirity on the back of the republican party but he isn't a team player and would be a nightmare for them. As an independant he would then just attract the people who believe in his bizarre rantings. If nothing else it would give a clearer indication of actual Trump supporters rather than republican ones.

Of course Trump may decide to just withdraw rather than suffer more embarrassment but with his ego that is hard to imagine.

People keep suggesting this but if Trump runs as Independent then that splits the Republican vote. Trump loses, Republican candidate loses Democrats take the House and the Senate in a clean sweep.

[Srikcir]

Trump's "more meat on the bone" will be more like "whip cream and a cherry" on a bowl of ice cream.

At least you won't have to chew it.

[ozyjon]

" The reality is,,,,"

i don't give a flying duck

[bassman]

Amazing the main stream medias absolute devotion to Hillary Clinton. This article shows its total bias to Hillary by downplaying Bernie's 7 out of 8 last state wins as insignificant while at the same time calling the end of Trump due to a loss in Wisconsin. America does have absolute freedom of the press, however the status quo of those with the purse strings continues to show through with their influence.

CNN's continued soft interviews with Hillary are disgusting, while simultaneously asking hard questions of all other candidates from both parties.

[CousinEddie]

Amazing the main stream medias absolute devotion to Hillary Clinton. This article shows its total bias to Hillary by downplaying Bernie's 7 out of 8 last state wins as insignificant while at the same time calling the end of Trump due to a loss in Wisconsin. America does have absolute freedom of the press, however the status quo of those with the purse strings continues to show through with their influence.

CNN's continued soft interviews with Hillary are disgusting, while simultaneously asking hard questions of all other candidates from both parties.

"main stream media"

That is getting real old. Sarah Palin wore that one out...

That is Right Wing code for:

"My information is good and everything you read is mis-information." "Only I know" "Everyone else are brain-dead sheep"

Of course, the RightWingNuts borrowed that from the conspiracy nut contingent. Only conspiracy nuts have good informatin. Everyone else are sheep.

[boomerangutang]

Last month, Republican Governor Mike Pence of Indiana signed a law imposing new limitations on abortion. The law bans abortion motivated by fetal abnormalities. It also tightens several other restrictions on abortion.

And since then, women have been sending Pence messages. A lot of messages — about their menstrual flow, and their cramps, and their birth control, and their tampon discomfort, and their bloating, and their menopause - by Tweet and by phone to his office. Source

All Republican candidates are against abortion. On the one hand, candidates talk of the importance for government to get out of peoples' lives. In reality, they crave government intimately controlling peoples' lives, even down to citizens' choices about their individual bodies. Most American women are justifiably pissed off by Republican candidates telling them what they can and cannot do with their bodies. Even without abortion issues, Republicans will lose the general election. However, with Republican edicts, they will lose badly. Trump will not only be a big loser, he will drag down much of the Republican Party (and its congressional candidates) with him - WHICH IS GOOD. Republicans deserve to lose. As Obama famously said 8 years ago: "you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig."

It's good for Americans to see what Trump and Republicans are really about. Of course, most Americans can see through Trump's baffoonery, but there are still some islands of ignorance who can't see what's right in front of their faces - OR, they can see the ignorance, and they like it. Sort of like ISIS fighters: they see how screwed up their leaders (and their philosophy) are, but that doesn't dampen their rabid enthusiasm.

[up2u2]

Yes Boomer these are what are described as 'Trap Laws'. They are used by Right Wing loony Republicans to subvert Federal Laws. Texas is doing similar 'Trap Laws' to shut down abortion clinics by regulating they have to be Hospitals and have 'admitting rights' to an emergency hospital. Totally unnecessary of course. No other 'day surgery' Doctors have the same restrictions placed on them only abortion clinics. It is very successful and most clinics have been shut down across Texas.

You are right though the more draconian the 'meat on the bone' the Right Wing vomit into the public discourse the more unelectable they become. Beautiful, open your big mouths and put your foot firmly in I say.

[helpisgood]

Yes Boomer these are what are described as 'Trap Laws'. They are used by Right Wing loony Republicans to subvert Federal Laws. Texas is doing similar 'Trap Laws' to shut down abortion clinics by regulating they have to be Hospitals and have 'admitting rights' to an emergency hospital. Totally unnecessary of course. No other 'day surgery' Doctors have the same restrictions placed on them only abortion clinics. It is very successful and most clinics have been shut down across Texas.

You are right though the more draconian the 'meat on the bone' the Right Wing vomit into the public discourse the more unelectable they become. Beautiful, open your big mouths and put your foot firmly in I say.

I agree with up2u2!

These "trap laws" (acronym for "targeted regulation of abortion providers") are before the US Supreme Court with a case from, not surprisingly, Texas. If you'd like to follow it, the case is called Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt. Oral arguments have been held (March 2), but we are waiting for the ruling which, I think, is expected to be handed down this summer. Basically, trap laws are a way to say that Roe v. Wade may be the law of the land, but we'll make the practicality of getting a legal abortion impossible or close to impossible.

If you are very ambitious, here's a transcript of that oral argument: http://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/15-274_l53m.pdf I think that there are recorded copies of the oral arguments also on the Internet.

As for Trump, the obvious fact that he had not seriously prepared for questions regarding abortion, thus causing the much talked-about gaffe, indicates to me that he does not care about issues affecting women. I get the impression that he's more interested about how women look in a bikini, and how good they look when they quietly and obediently stand by him.

Instead of more "meat on the bone," he should add more info to his brain about how the lives of women, many of whom are experiencing a very difficult life choice if not a personal crisis, are or will be affected by these trap laws. Yet, I doubt he will. His politics is based upon getting the votes of people who think they know better what to do with the bodies of women they have never met based upon values and/or a religious interpretation not shared by these women needing help.

If you are unlike Trump and would like to know more about trap laws, here's a couple of articles:

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/supreme_court_dispatches/2016/03/in_oral_arguments_for_the_texas_abortion_case_the_three_female_justices.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/abortion-clinics-admitting-privileges_us_56df3090e4b0ffe6f8eb2b0d

Edited April 9, 2016 by helpisgood

[howto]

Several months ago...

Trump clearly said he is pro-life and

he does support 'planned parenthood'

but not for federal funds paying for abortions.

I agree with that.

He wanted them to continue operating,

the other things that they do.

Stop doing abortions and continue on.

He also said he would do nothing

to overturn 'Roe vs. Wade'

And he honestly can't, even if he wanted.

Shortly later 'planned parenthood' was totally defunded,

(from fed funds). Trump had nothing to do with that.

The USA is a Republic, each state will determine it's course.

Someone has to pay and bear that cost.

That is the fact.

So whom pays? The state taxpayers???